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Remarks |
I am an amateur astronomer. Also, a UFO investigator of 11 years. www.Cavinessreport.com The object was indeed a fireball (bolide) and was travelling no more than half the speed of most fireballs I have seen over the years. The exact time of the sighting was right at 20:57 Eastern according to my cell phone (+ or - 15 seconds). The nucleus was predominately green with some green streaking in a smooth stream graduating to yellow then orange then red. The stream was unusually long. This object was larger in appearance than most and was burning more fiercely than most fireballs I have ever seen. First impulse was to think it was a fireworks only a tenth of a mile away. Object was seen travelling downward from approximately only 25 degrees elevation heading generally from east to west. The downward trajectory did not curve, was very straight and sloped appoximately 25 degrees downward from horizontal flight. Surprisingly, this object did not burn out or show any signs of weakening as I observed it all the way to the horizon. I am confident that unlike all other fireballs I have seen over the years, this one likely impacted. After looking at a map, I have calculated that it went down somewhere very close to 315 degrees azimuth from my observation position, possibly as far over as 310 degrees azimuth. And, because reports came from as far away as the northern states, I must conclude that the object could have possibly been still flying low when it reached 310 degrees azimuth because of its apparent extreme distance from me----possibly causing it to travel even slightly more east of 310 degrees. But, I anticipate that the object impacted, still, somewhere between 310 and 315 degrees azimuth from my position. How far north, I cannot estimate. During the 5-second or so observation, I was under the impression it was not far from me at all. I was surprised to see reports from the northern United States. I have never before seen a meteor travel all the way down to the horizon still burning. Hope this helps. |
